I am writing my thoughts here about Shelter, because they appear to have banned me from their Facebook page. I can still see their campaigns, but have no right to reply on their site, so have chosen to point out here what I would have written on their page: Shelter’s latest campaign is about mental […]

I have never used my CGT allowance as I thought you needed to sell a property to use it. Someone has told me though that it can be used by putting it each year into trust for your children. My understanding is that you have to allocate it to a particular property. Is it the […]

I am a landlord renting a property and was going to enter into a two-year tenancy agreement with a property management company. Prior to this the agreement was via a letting agent which outsourced it to the property management agency so at the end of the agreement with the agent, I thought it would make […]

My letting agency has recently advised me of changes to their terms and conditions in which they are increasing their landlord (and tenant) renewal fees from £84 to £132. I am a landlord of two properties, one of which renews every 6 months with rent paid (to the agent) in advance. I believe these to […]

Shelter Scotland and the Green Party are now calling for Rent Controls to be introduced in Edinburgh. The Scottish Government has so far implemented every suggestion that Shelter has had for the Private Rental Sector whilst The Green party are currently the kingmakers in The Scottish Parliament so very influential. As housing is a devolved […]

The London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has announced a new database to name and shame successfully prosecuted criminal landlords and letting agents in London. The database will be published on the Mayor’s website and built in partnership with borough councils across London providing a blacklist of landlords and agents prosecuted for housing offences. The Plan is to […]

Today (Thursday 27th April, 9pm) on Channel 5s “Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords”, a Watford landlord has a fight on his hands when his long-term tenant stops paying rent and unleashes a deluge of abuse when he tries to evict her. With rent arrears already at £6000 and mounting legal costs, builder David Simpson has been […]

My partner (not married) owns a bungalow (principle residence). She has obtained planning permission for the demolition of the bungalow and to build 3 houses on the plot (1 x 4bed detached and a pair of 2 bed semi’s). My company (incorporated about a year ago to build and retain rental properties) has agreed to […]

The Victoria Derbyshire Programme on BBC Two and BBC News is looking at the ongoing issue of tenants and landlords. They are particularly keen to hear from readers if you are a landlord in the UK who has had a problematic tenant. Of most interest is a landlord who is currently in a serious dispute […]

With talks in the media of DWP claiming that they plan to make the process for direct payments to Landlord’s easier. On 11th April 2017 DWP released a new UC47 Alternative Payment Arrangement application forms; enabling landlords to apply for direct payments. On both the secure and non-secure forms landlords can also apply for repayment […]

I have a buy to let property which is solely in my name and the mortgage outstanding amount is £125,200. I wanted to do a declaration of trust between myself and my wife and I wanted to know if any Stamp duty is payable? Many thanks Kais

I offer here a brief critique of the report which has just been published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. To download the full report please CLICK HERE Those of you who are aware of the debates surrounding Section 24 and who have kept abreast of our research findings on Property118 will know that we are […]

The requirement to complete quarterly digital tax returns to HMRC that included Landlords has been one of the 72 clauses to be dropped from the Finance Bill out 135 clauses in total. The Government has slashed the size of the Bill in an effort to rush the legislation through before the end of this Parliament. […]

Here’s a letter template for you.   Dear …….., For the first time, as a long-time supporter and member of the Conservative Party, I am struggling for a reason to vote Conservative! I would never even in my worst nightmare ever believe that a Conservative Government would wage such punitive attacks on small Landlords, without […]

We all know that from time to time working with, or against, your local council will be something a landlord or developer has to deal with. 9 times out of 10 the housing, environmental health or planning officers are willing to work with you. It’s always best to work with them, even if you don’t […]

I have done a fair bit of research on what taxes would be liable on the transfer/gifting of an unmortgaged property owned in partnership (not spouse) to a Ltd Co where the director’s are the same as the partnership. I understand, hopefully, that there is no SDLT to pay because there is no mortgage outstanding, […]

Property based in Essex. C09 postcode Rip out existing condensing combi boiler and replace. Boiler is being fitted back in same location. Any thoughts on price being quoted? I was anticipating around £2000 inc VAT. The quote from local independent Gas Safe engineer is below. We have listed all works to be undertaken by ourselves, […]

I am a landlord with an existing tenancy having come to an end. Since the tenant moved out, we have received letters from a no win no fee solicitor acting on behalf of our ex tenant asking us for compensation for not giving her the correct DPS prescribed information. Whilst we did outline in our […]

Kate Faulkner has released a summary of First Time Buyer (FTB) market data showing a rise in FTB activity, the bounce post credit crunch and the myths of media reported data. To see Kate’s full First time buyer price report – April 2017 please Click Here Kate comments on the data in her report that; […]

Summary: Is SDLT always due on a transfer of part of a mortgaged property to a spouse, even if the declaration of trust which gives effect to the transfer makes clear that responsibility for the mortgage has not changed? Background: I have two rental properties that I own with my wife, both of which are […]

Prior to the 2nd April 2017, my brother, his wife, my wife and I owned a rental property as tenants in common in equal shares. On the 2nd April, a Declaration of Trust was made in which my wife declared that her 25 part equitable interest in the property is held on trust for herself […]